Nicknames for Babies Have Never Been Cooler
If you’re considering going straight for a short form on the birth certificate, you’re in good company. Stylish celebrity parents are increasingly skipping formal names in favor of short and sweet nickname-style monikers.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen gave their daughter the noveau mini-name Esti. Soccer star Neymar Jr. and wife Bruna Biancardi welcomed their daughter Mavie, and Youtubers Zoe Sugg and Alfie Deyes picked a double-nickname combo for their daughter, Novie Nell. Two additions to the Kardashian/Jenner crew — Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's son Rocky, and Brody Jenner and Tia Blanco's daughter Honey — took the nickname route as well.
In the US, nickname names for babies were booming around a century ago, making this trend ripe for revival today. But if the popular names of the 20s and 30s just aren’t doing it for you (sorry, Willie, Bob, and Patsy) then keep reading!
We’ve collected 80 of the coolest new nicknames for babies — all outside the current US Top 500 — to inspire you.
Cool Nicknames for Girls
There are a few sweet and sparky nicknames for girls that have broken into the Top 500 over the past decade, following in the footsteps of popular choices like Ellie, Sadie, and Bella.
Unisex Charlie now ranks higher for girls than boys, at #123 in 2022. And sweet British favorites Elsie and Evie, Maisie and Millie are all rising rapidly too.
If you want something with the same laid-back appeal, but less of the popularity, the names in the list below all rank in the lower half of the Top 1000 or just below it. They’re familiar but fresh, cute but cool, and underused without being too “out there”.
Unique Nicknames for Girls
If you’re willing to go a little bit quirkier, there are some fantastic uncommon nicknames for girls hiding further down the US popularity charts.
All of the choices in the list below rank well outside of the Top 1000, but they feel right on trend for a 2020s baby girl. And celebrity bearers like Gigi Hadid, Sia, and Suki Waterhouse prove that they can be pulled off in style!
Cool Nicknames for Boys
Did you know that the current #1 boy name in the US actually started life as a nickname? Liam originated as an Irish diminutive of William, making it the first nickname ever to hold the top spot for boys in the US.
British parents are already big fans of stylish short forms on the birth certificate: Harry, Archie, and Leo all make the current Top 10 for boys there, while quirkier picks like Alfie, Reggie, Sonny, and Toby all make the Top 100.
The names in the list below all rank in the lower half of the US Top 1000 or just outside of it. They’re widely known, but not widely used, and all have that effortless laid-back charm.
Unique Nicknames for Boys
Far below the Top 1000 you’ll find some seriously uncommon (and seriously cool!) nicknames for boys. Some of these are quite literally unique: there were fewer than 10 baby boys named Jem and Wilkie in 2022, the last year on record.
From old-school cool nicknames like Fitz and Gene, to modern mini-names like Cy and Xavi, there are unique options to suit every style.
What are your favorite nicknames for babies? What would you name a boy and girl from these lists? Tell us below!